V – The New Mythology Suite
| V: The New Mythology Suite | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by Symphony X | ||||
| Released | October 10, 2000 | |||
| Recorded | Trax East Recording Studio in South River, New Jersey; Mix-O-Lydian Recording Studio in Lafayette Township, New Jersey; The Dungeon | |||
| Genre | Progressive metal, neoclassical metal | |||
| Length | 62:41[1] | |||
| Label | Inside Out | |||
| Producer | Michael Romeo, Eric Rachel | |||
| Symphony X chronology | ||||
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V: The New Mythology Suite is the fifth studio album by progressive metal band Symphony X, released on October 10, 2000 through Inside Out Music.[2] It is a concept album dealing with the story of Atlantis, ancient Egyptian mythology, and astrology.[3] The album is the band's first to feature its current and longest lineup, following the arrival of bassist Michael Lepond and the return of drummer Jason Rullo.
Overview
As well as being a heavier continuation of the band's established progressive metal style, V also includes a multitude of excerpts from classical composers, including Giuseppe Verdi's Messa da Requiem; Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Requiem Mass in D minor; Johann Sebastian Bach's Concerto for Harpsichord in D minor, BWV 1052 and Cantata No. 188; and Béla Bartók's Concerto for Orchestra, Sz. 116, BB 123.
Symphony X's 1998 album Twilight in Olympus was released without a title track; instead, the unfinished compositions from those sessions were later re-worked and distributed in fragments throughout V,[4] particularly on the final track, "Rediscovery (Part II) - The New Mythology". Guitarist Michael Romeo has since confirmed this: "About half of ['Rediscovery (Part II)'] is the song 'Twilight in Olympus', maybe a little more".[5]
Similarities to V by Spock's Beard
There are several notable similarities between V: The New Mythology Suite and V, an album by progressive rock band Spock's Beard. Both albums feature cover art bearing a near-identical desert background image; they were released within months of each other in 2000; they are both bands' fifth studio releases; they were released through the Inside Out label; and they are nearly equal in duration, differing only by eighteen seconds.
Critical reception
| Professional ratings | |
|---|---|
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [2] |
Robert Taylor at AllMusic gave V: The New Mythology Suite three stars out of five, saying "As a whole, V: The New Mythology Suite works and proves that Symphony X has chosen to expand, rather than repeat, history in a genre that appeared to have peaked both creatively and technically." Particular attention was drawn to Michael Romeo's guitar playing style, with Taylor likening it to that of Yngwie Malmsteen, but remarking that it "has proved to be both a blessing and a curse for this gifted guitarist. His chops are certainly comparable, but his sound and style are often identical to his idol." He also criticized some of the music and themes as being "all too familiar", as well as singer Russell Allen's "macho vocal style."[2]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Prelude" | 1:07 | ||
| 2. | "Evolution (The Grand Design)" | Michael Romeo, Russell Allen, Jason Rullo | Romeo, Michael Pinnella | 5:20 |
| 3. | "Fallen" | Romeo, Allen, Rullo | Romeo, Pinnella, Michael Lepond, Rullo | 5:51 |
| 4. | "Transcendence (Segue)" | (instrumental) | Romeo | 0:38 |
| 5. | "Communion and the Oracle" | Romeo, Rullo | Romeo, Pinnella | 7:45 |
| 6. | "The Bird-Serpent War / Cataclysm" | Romeo, Pinnella | Romeo, Pinnella | 4:02 |
| 7. | "On the Breath of Poseidon (Segue)" | (instrumental) | Romeo | 3:01 |
| 8. | "Egypt" | Romeo, Allen, Rullo | Romeo, Pinnella, Lepond | 7:04 |
| 9. | "The Death of Balance / Lacrymosa" | (instrumental) | Romeo, Rullo | 3:42 |
| 10. | "Absence of Light" | Romeo, Allen | Romeo, Pinnella | 4:58 |
| 11. | "A Fool's Paradise" | Allen, Pinnella | Romeo, Pinnella | 5:48 |
| 12. | "Rediscovery (Segue)" | (instrumental) | Romeo, Pinnella | 1:24 |
| 13. | "Rediscovery (Part II) - The New Mythology" | Romeo, Pinnella, Allen | Romeo, Pinnella, Rullo | 12:01 |
| Total length: | 62:41 | |||
Personnel
- Russell Allen – lead vocals
- Michael Romeo – guitar, background vocals, orchestral arrangement, engineering, production
- Michael Pinnella – keyboard, orchestral arrangement, background vocals
- Jason Rullo – drums, percussion
- Michael Lepond – bass
- Eric Rachel – engineering, production
- Alan Douches – mastering
References
- ↑ V: The New Mythology Suite (CD edition "IOMCD 066").
- 1 2 3 Taylor, Robert. "V: The New Mythology Suite - Symphony X". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved 2014-05-30.
- ↑ "The story behind "V: The New Mythology Suite"". symphonyx.com. Archived from the original on 2004-03-12. Retrieved 2014-05-30.
- ↑ "FAQ". symphonyx.com. Retrieved 2014-05-30.
- ↑ Suripatty, Emo (2000). "Miscellaneous... 'Interview with Symphony X'". silentedge.com. Retrieved 2014-05-30.
External links
- V: The New Mythology Suite at symphonyx.com
- In Review: Symphony X "V" at Guitar Nine Records